INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 192 member countries. Our role is to enable police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place. Our high-tech infrastructure of technical and operational support helps meet the growing challenges of fighting crime in the 21st century.

This is where you will find the latest news and multimedia from INTERPOL. Read our news stories and speeches; see the Organization in action through videos and photo galleries; and download our fact sheets, brochures and annual reports.

Our global police communications channels and internationally recognized alert systems allow police around the world to share data instantly and securely. A 24-hour contact point and specialized teams provide targeted support to serious crime or disaster incidents.

Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Law enforcement services in South Africa are the responsibility of the Ministry of Police. The National Police Commissioner answers directly to the Minister of Police.

South African Police Service

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is the principal law enforcement body for South Africa, and is responsible for investigating crime and maintaining safety and security throughout the country. Some municipalities, such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria, have their own local police units, tasked mainly with road security and local law enforcement.

SAPS headquarters structure:

Visible Policing Division;

Protection and Security Services;

Criminal Intelligence;

Detective Services;

Criminal Record and Forensic Science Services;

Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation.

INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) for South Africa

INTERPOL Pretoria is part of the SAPS Corporate Communications Department which reports directly to the National Commissioner. It includes more than 20 liaison officers posted abroad.

The role of INTERPOL Pretoria is to assist SAPS in preventing, fighting and investigating global crime and in bringing fugitives to justice. It is the exclusive platform for any SAPS investigation requiring international outreach, or for any international investigation requiring police cooperation from SAPS.

INTERPOL Pretoria works closely with the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO), the South African Development Economic Community (SADEC) and the African Union (AU).

LONDON, United Kingdom - An INTERPOL working meeting to define global strategy and coordinated action in tackling wildlife crime has closed in London with a call to boost multi-sector cooperation via INTERPOL.INTERPOL’s 29th Wildlife Crime Working Group meeting brought together 170 experts from wildlife and park authorities in 45 countries to pave the way...

LYON, France – Pharmaceuticals, food, vehicle parts, tobacco products, clothing, and agrochemicals are among tonnes of fake goods seized in INTERPOL-led operations across four continents.Coordinated by INTERPOL between March and May 2018 in 36 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America, operations sought to dismantle factories and su...

LYON, France – A global operation tackling the illegal trade in wildlife and timber has resulted in the identification of nearly 900 suspects and 1,300 seizures of illicit products worth an estimated USD 5.1 million.The results, announced ahead of World Wildlife Day (3 March), mark INTERPOL’s ongoing commitment to supporting its 190 member countries in co...

KENYA/ZIMBABWE - An operation across Eastern and Southern Africa targeting transnational crimes including human, drug and arms trafficking, people smuggling, terrorism, car theft and environmental crime has resulted in nearly 4,500 arrests.To address the wide-ranging yet often interlinked types of crime across the region, some 1,500 officers were deployed...